Tug-buckle



(No Model.)

J. T. MBRRITT.

TUG BUCKLE.

,545. Patented ont. 23, 1888 @Noam @1214 UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

.I ESSE THOMAS MERRITT, OF FAYETTEVILLE, TENNESSEE.

TUG-BUCKLE.

l e SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,545, dated October 23, 1888, pp'ication filed February 25, 1888. Serial No. 265,233. (No model.

T0 all whom may concern.-

Be itknown that I, J EssE THOMAS MERRTTT, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Fayetteville, in the county of Lincoln and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tug-Buckles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tugbuckles to connect the tug-strap to the trace; and it has for its object to provide a buckle from which the straps cannot become accidentally detached; furthermore, to provide a buckle which will enable the strap when engaged therein to lie flat.

With these objects in View the invention consists in a certain novel construction and arrangement o'f devices,whieh are fully set forth hereinafter, in connection with the accompanying drawings, whereiuy Figure 1 is a perspective view of the buckle with the tug-strap and trace attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is asimilar View showing the manner of releasing the tug-strap. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a catch or hook embodying my invention. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the saine.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A des-- ignates the tugstrap, having a series of perforations, a a, therein, and B designates a portion of the trace, to the front end of which is attached the curved loop C. This loop is provided with curved and slotted side arms, c c, the function of which will be hereinafter fully explained.

D designates a plate -liaving the outwardlyextending ears E E at its front end and the lateral studs F Fatits sides. A bolt or spindle, G, is arranged in apertures in the ears E.

H represents a tongue,which is mounted at its back end on the said bolt or spindle G, and is provided at its front end with the depending stud or pin I, which is adapted to engage one of the periorations in the tug-strap, and also an aperture, K, in the plate D, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. 4

The studs F F on the sides of the plate D are engaged in the slots in the sides of the curved loop, and the said loop is thus allowed considerable play or movement.

It will be seen by reference to the drawings, Figs. l and 2, that the loop embraces the plate D and the tongue, and bears at its outer end on the latter, and therefore when a strain is put upon the trace (which is attached to the inner or rear end of the-loop) the outer or front end of the latter binds down firmly on the tongue, and thus prevent-s it from becoming accidentally detached. When it is desired to release the tug-strap, draw the curved loop outward until the studs F are near the inner or rear ends of the slots in the arms c c, and then swing the outer end of the loop rearward into the position shown in Fig. 3, when the tongue will be free and may be raised to release the tug-strap.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a hook or catch embodying my improvement, the said hook or catch being adapted to be applied to the front end of the tug strap to engage in a ring on the hames. In the said figures, L represents a hook, which is formed on the front end of the plate D, and on the extremity of this hook (which curves back toward the plate) is mounted the tongue H,whieh is similar to the tongue shown in the other iigures. This hook is engaged in a ring, M, which is attached to the haine of the collar. The curved loop is used in this device, and it is connected to the end of the tug-strap and bears on the tongue in the same way as in the device 4illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3.

Having described my invention, I claiml. The combination of the plate having an aperture, K, and the studs F F on its sides, the tongue H, having the pin or stud to engage the said aperture, and the lop having the slotted arms to receive the studs FF and bear on the tongue, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the plate D, having the aperture K, and the outwardly-extending ears E E, having a bolt or spindle arranged between them, the tongue H, mounted on the said bolt or spindle and having the stud or pin I, to engage the aperture K, and the loop C, arranged on the plate and adapted to bear on the tongue, as and for the purpose substan- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my tially as specified. own I have hereto affixed my signature in pres- 3. The combination of the plate having latence of two Witnesses.

eral studs F and an aperture, K, the pivoted l 5 tongue H, having a pin or stud, I, to engage .I ESSE THOMAS MERRITT.

the aperture K, and the loop G, having the curved side arms, c c, provided with longitudi- Vtnesses: nal slotsmounted on the studs F F, al1 oon- JNO. R. HANCOCK, structed and arranged substantially as and for I. V, BUNTLEY.

Io the purpose hereinbefore specified. 

